Hat construction

ABSTRACT

An adjustable protective head cover, including first and second earpieces, a canopy configured to cover the top of a wearer&#39;s head when spread, a plurality of ribs curved to substantially follow the curvature of the top of a wearer&#39;s head and pivotally secured on opposite ends to opposite earpieces. The ribs are secured to evenly spaced portions of the canopy whereby the ribs are pivotally spread apart in a substantially uniformly spacing when the canopy is spread with the front and rear ribs at the front and rear of the spread canopy. A plastic waffle band having a zigzag configuration is secured to the underside of the canopy and adapted to configure the canopy in pleats when the ribs are pivoted together. Front and rear brims are secured to the canopy at the front and rear ribs, and connectors on the front and rear brims releasably connect the brims together with the canopy in a pleated configuration therebetween when the ribs are pivoted together in the closed position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Priority is claimed in U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/249,813, entitled “Hat Construction”, filed Oct. 8, 2009.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to head coverings, and more particularly to hats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hats and other head covers are well known in the art for use in protecting or covering a person's head, as well as to keep the wearer warm. Earmuffs are also well known in the art for keeping the ears of a wearer warm.

In certain conditions, where only keeping their ears warm is desired, a person may simply wear earmuffs.

When, instead, a person also desires to cover their head for heat or other weather protection, earmuffs are not sufficient. In that case, the person may simultaneously wear a combination of earmuffs and a hat of some sort. However, various combinations of separate ear and head coverings typically fall short of the wearer's expectations for an integrated or “fashionable” fit. Moreover, such different combinations can be difficult to keep track of, where one time the wearer may want one, the another time the other, and a third time both. For example, a person may wear both a hat and earmuffs to work in the morning, wear only the earmuffs home at night, and then at home the next morning discover that they cannot wear the hat as they would like because it is at work.

Of course, where both head and ear protection is desired, hats with ear protection such as ear flaps are also well known. However, such hats which have ear flaps which can be flipped up away from the person's ears will always provide a head covering, even when only ear warming is desired. Further, such hats themselves may be less than fashionable.

Moreover, such prior art head coverings, with or without ear flaps, may be too bulky or heavy, or not weather-proof enough, for the needs of a wearer. Further, either head covering may negatively impact the wearer's hair styling by pressing down on the hair.

The present invention is directed toward overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an adjustable protective head cover is provided, including first and second earpieces adapted to cover the ears of a wearer, a canopy configured to substantially cover the top of a wearer's head when spread, a plurality of ribs curved to substantially follow the curvature of the top of a wearer's head and pivotally secured on opposite ends to opposite earpieces, and first and second connectors secured to the canopy at the front and rear ribs, respectively. The ribs are secured to the canopy whereby the ribs are pivotally spread apart in a substantially uniformly spacing when the canopy is in the open position. The first and second connectors are releasably connectable together when the ribs are pivoted together.

In one form of this aspect of the present invention, a brim is secured to the canopy at the front rib, with the first connector secured to the brim.

In another form of this aspect of the present invention, a plastic band having a zigzag configuration is secured to the underside of the canopy.

In another form of this aspect of the present invention, pegs are on each end of the ribs and face each other, and each of the earpieces include a disk having openings therein arranged in a curved orientation, each of the openings receiving a peg of a rib, and a cover secured to the disk over the ribs and defining a slot allowing pivoting of the ribs through a selected range of motion. In a further form, detents are between the earpieces and the front and rear ribs, with the detents positively indicating pivoting of the front and rear ribs to and from the open position.

In still another form of this aspect of the present invention, the ribs are curved to support the canopy with minimal pressure on the hair of a wearer.

In a further form of this aspect of the present invention, a waffle band is secured to the canopy and adapted to configure the canopy in pleats when the ribs are pivoted together.

In yet another form of this aspect of the present invention, a front brim is secured to the canopy at the front rib, with the first connector secured to the rear brim, and a rear brim is secured to the canopy at the rear rib, with the second connector secured to the rear brim. In a further form, the front and rear connectors are hook and loop connectors.

In another aspect of the present invention, an adjustable protective head cover is provided, including first and second earpieces adapted to cover the ears of a wearer, a canopy configured to substantially cover the top of a wearer's head when spread, a plurality of ribs curved to substantially follow the curvature of the top of a wearer's head and pivotally secured on opposite ends to opposite earpieces. The ribs are secured to the canopy whereby the ribs are pivotally spread apart in a substantially uniformly spacing when the canopy is in the open position. A plastic waffle band having a zigzag configuration is secured to the underside of the canopy and adapted to configure the canopy in pleats when the ribs are pivoted together. Front and rear brims are secured to the canopy at the front and rear ribs, and connectors on the front and rear brims releasably connect the brims together with the canopy in a pleated configuration therebetween when the ribs are pivoted together in the closed position.

In one form of this aspect of the present invention, the front and rear ribs have flat extensions adapted to support the front and rear rims to extending outwardly from a wearer's head when the canopy is in an open position

In another form of this aspect of the present invention, pegs are on each end of the ribs and face each other, and each of the earpieces include a disk having openings therein arranged in a curved orientation, each of the openings receiving a peg of a rib, and a cover secured to the disk over the ribs and defining a slot allowing pivoting of the ribs through a selected range of motion. In a further form, detents are between the earpieces and the front and rear ribs, with the detents positively indicating pivoting of the front and rear ribs to and from the open position.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a review of the entire specification, including the appended claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a hat according to the present invention in a closed position and on a wearer's head;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the hat in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIGS. 1-2, but showing the hat being transitioned from the open to the closed position;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the hat in the open position;

FIG. 4 a is a side view of a portion of the waffle band;

FIGS. 5 a-5 b are front and rear views, respectively, showing the hat in the open position;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an earpiece of the hat;

FIG. 7 is a face view of the pivot disk of the earpiece of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 8 a-8 b are front and rear side views, respectively, of the cover of the earpiece of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 a is a front view of one of the ribs of the hat, with FIG. 9 b being a front view of one of the outermost ribs of the hat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A hat 10 embodying the present invention is illustrated in two configurations in FIGS. 1-2, with mere ear covering provided in the FIG. 1 configuration and head protection also provided in the FIG. 2 configuration.

The hat 10 includes first and second earpieces 14, 16 adapted to cover the ears of a wearer 20, and a canopy 24 configured to substantially cover the top of a wearer's head when spread open.

The canopy 24 is made a lightweight, weatherproof, flexible material, such as nylon, Thinsulate, Hyperloft, and/or Goretex. As described in greater detail below, a plurality of ribs 28 are curved to substantially follow the curvature of the top of a wearer's head, but advantageously with slight spacing therefrom. Thus, when the hat 10 is fully opened as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 a-5 b, it creates a canopy that sits above the contour of the head, reducing pressure on the hair. That spacing above the head contour provides insulation over the top of the head as well.

As described in greater detail hereafter, the ribs 28 on one end are pivotally secured to the first earpiece 14 and on the other end are pivotally secured to the second earpiece 16. Further, the ribs 28 are secured to substantially evenly spaced portions of the canopy 24 whereby the ribs 28 may be pivotally spread apart in a substantially uniformly spacing when the canopy 24. Advantageously, the ribs 28 may be secured to the canopy 24 at its inner folds 30 of the pleating of the canopy 24 (see FIG. 3), with the ribs 28 covered on both sides by the material of the canopy 24 so that they are not visible.

The canopy 24 may be suitably configured to fold together in a pleated configuration (e.g., by sewing together strips). Further, a plastic waffle band 32 having a zigzag configuration (see FIG. 4) may be sewn to the underside of the canopy 24 to support such structured folding or pleating when folding the ribs together.

Flexible brims 34, 36 are secured to the front and back of the canopy 24, respectively, as described in further detail below. The brims 34, 36 may be made of a malleable plastic material and covered by thin cloth connected to the front and back perimeters of the canopy 24.

The front brim 34 includes a suitable attachment 38 a on its upper surface for mating with a cooperating attachment 38 b on the lower surface of the rear brim 36 (e.g., the attachments 38 a, 38 b may be cooperating hook and loop material, such as Velcro® brand materials).

Elastic strips 40 a, 40 b attach to the over and underside of both the canopy 24 (e.g., to the second to last ribs 28) and brims 34, 36. When the canopy 24 is closed there is sufficient slack in the strips 40 a, 40 b such that the brims 34, 36 can overlap each other and cover the aggregated ribs when the hat 10 is in the closed position shown in FIG. 1, with the attachments 38 a, 38 b securing the overlapping brims 34, 36 together. When the hat 10 is in the closed position, the material of the canopy 24 neatly aggregates between the ribs 28 in a pleated configuration.

One earpiece 14 is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 6-7 and 8 a-8 c. It should be appreciated that the other earpiece 16 would advantageously be the mirror image of the other.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the earpieces 14, 16 include a slider disk 44 which includes a plurality of cup holes 46 spread in an annular arrangement around the top of the disk 44. The ends of the ribs 28 are pivotally secured in the cup holes 46 as described further hereafter.

The earpieces 14, 16 also include an outer cover 50. Advantageously, the cover 50 may include an outside skin material which is the same as the hat (e.g., satin or nylon), and in the same or complementary colors.

The cover 50 is suitably secured to the slider disk 44 (e.g., by gluing) in a desired spaced orientation by an X-shaped leg 54 secured in an X-shaped recess 56 in the center of the disk 44. The outer cover 50 includes a recessed portion 60 which is spaced from the disk 44. The recessed portion 60 may be an interruption of the lip around the perimeter of the cover 50. Alternatively, if the cover 50 is solid, it may consist of a notched or cut-out portion of the cover 50. Whatever the configuration, a slot or channel is defined between the cover 50 and the disk 44 which enables the ribs 28 to pivot and move through the arc required to allow the canopy 24 to be opened.

The ends 60 a of the recessed portion 60 may function as stops for limiting the pivoting of the outermost ribs 28. Raised bumps 70 may also be provided on the disk 44 (see FIGS. 6-7) aligned with the recessed portion 60 and slightly short of the ends 60 a so as to serve as a detent which will allow the associated outermost rib 28 to be snapped into place in its fully open position.

For the comfort of the wearer 20, a flannel piece 80 may be suitably secured on the inner side of the disk 44, and a suitable foam ring 84 or the like may also be secured thereon to facilitate cupping of the earpieces 14, 18 over a wearer's ears. The ring 84 may, for example, be a foam padded ring approximately ¼ inch thick, covered with nylon mesh and shaped to outline the oval of a wearer's ear.

The ribs 28 are shown in greater detail in FIGS. 9 a and 9 b. As already mentioned, the ribs 28 are curved to generally follow the shape of a wearer's head (advantageously with some spacing to protect the hair of the wearer.

The ribs 28 may be of a suitably durable material with some elastic flexibility (e.g., fibreglass or plastic), and on opposite ends include inwardly facing pegs 90 which are pivotally received in the cup holes 46 of the earpiece disks 44. The ribs 28 are tensioned so that their ends are tensioned toward one another The overlying cover 50 functions to secure the rib pegs 90 in the disks 44.

The outermost ribs 28 a (see FIG. 9 b) include flattened extensions 94 which serve as a ledge which helps to hold down the brims 34, 36 when the canopy 24 is opened, with the brims 34, 36 maintaining a rigid outward extension via the downward push of the flattened extensions 94 in conjunction with the upward tension of the brim-to-canopy elastic strips 40 a.

The outermost ribs 28 a (FIG. 9( also include raised areas or bumps 98 which cooperate with the raised bumps 70 on the disk 44, whereby the flexing of the material will allow the outermost ribs 28 a to be pivoted past the disk bumps 70 into engagement with the stop ends 60 a, with the bumps 70, 98 cooperating to provide a positive clicking feel when the canopy 24 is fully opened, as well as to serve as detents holding the canopy 24 open until positively closed by the wearer 20.

It should be appreciated that hats 10 according to the present invention include an integrated bottom-up approach that allows the wearer 20 to initially cover their ears, and then cover their head as desired. Further, hats according to the present invention provide an expandable canopy 24 which not only can protect the wearer's head, but can also be collapsed to fold neatly at the top of their head, in both instances providing room above and across the contour of the wearer's head to lessen pressure on the hair. 

1. An adjustable protective head cover, comprising: first and second earpieces adapted to cover the ears of a wearer; a canopy configured to substantially cover the top of a wearer's head when spread; a plurality of ribs including front and rear ribs, whereby said ribs are curved to substantially follow the curvature of the top of a wearer's head, on one end are pivotally secured to the first earpiece, on the other end are pivotally secured to the second earpiece, and are secured to said canopy with the front and rear ribs at the front and rear of the canopy, whereby said ribs are pivotally spread apart in a substantially uniform spacing when said canopy is in the open position; first and second connectors secured to the canopy at the front and rear ribs, respectively, said connectors being releasably connectable together when said ribs are pivoted together with said canopy in a closed position.
 2. The head cover of claim 1, further comprising a brim secured to the canopy at the front rib, wherein said first connector is secured to said brim.
 3. The head cover of claim 1, further comprising a plastic band having a zigzag configuration and secured to the underside of the canopy.
 4. The head cover of claim 1, further comprising pegs on each end of the ribs, said pegs facing toward the peg on the opposite end, and wherein each of said earpieces comprise: a disk having openings therein arranged in a curved orientation, each of said openings receiving a peg of a rib, and a cover secured to said disk over said ribs and defining a slot allowing pivoting of said ribs through a selected range of motion.
 5. The head cover of claim 4, further comprising detents between said earpieces and said front and rear ribs, said detents positively indicating pivoting of said front and rear ribs to and from the open position.
 6. The head cover of claim 1, wherein said ribs are curved to support said canopy with minimal pressure on the hair of a wearer.
 7. The head cover of claim 1, further comprising a waffle band secured to the canopy and adapted to configure said canopy in pleats when said ribs are pivoted together.
 8. The head cover of claim 1, further comprising a front brim secured to the canopy at the front rib, wherein said first connector is secured to said front brim, and a rear brim secured to the canopy at the rear rib, wherein said second connector is secured to said rear brim.
 9. The head cover of claim 8, wherein said front and rear connectors are hook and loop connectors.
 10. An adjustable protective head cover, comprising: first and second earpieces adapted to cover the ears of a wearer; a canopy configured to substantially cover the top of a wearer's head when spread; a plurality of ribs including front and rear ribs, whereby said ribs are curved to substantially follow the curvature of the top of a wearer's head, on one end are pivotally secured to the first earpiece, on the other end are pivotally secured to the second earpiece, and are secured to said canopy with the front and rear ribs at the front and rear of the canopy, whereby said ribs are pivotally spread apart in a substantially uniformly spacing when said canopy is in the open position a plastic waffle band having a zigzag configuration and secured to the underside of the canopy and adapted to configure said canopy in pleats when said ribs are pivoted together; a front brim secured to the canopy at the front rib; a rear brim secured to the canopy at the rear rib; and connectors on said front and rear brims adapted to releasably connect said front and rear brims together with the canopy in a pleated configuration therebetween when said ribs are pivoted together in the closed position.
 11. The head cover of claim 10, wherein said front and rear ribs have flat extensions adapted to support said front and rear rims to extending outwardly from a wearer's head when said canopy is in an open position.
 12. The head cover of claim 10, further comprising pegs on each end of the ribs, said pegs facing toward the peg on the opposite end, and wherein each of said earpieces comprise: a disk having openings therein arranged in a curved orientation, each of said openings receiving a peg of a rib, and a cover secured to said disk over said ribs and defining a slot allowing pivoting of said ribs through a selected range of motion.
 13. The head cover of claim 12, further comprising detents between said earpieces and said front and rear ribs, said detents positively indicating pivoting of said front and rear ribs to and from the open position. 